By Karen Bong
KUCHING, July 22: The Federal government has once again been urged to stop dragging its feet and fully honour the rights of Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) as underlined by the founding fathers of this nation in the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia.
In making this call on Sarawak Day, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that the suggestion for MA63 to be changed should not have been made at all, more so when some of the existing rights and privileges of Sarawak have either been eroded or yet to be honoured after 59 years.
“MA63 is a sacred agreement that cannot be changed or diluted in any way and in whatever form.
“It is an agreement between the British government, Federation of Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah (North Borneo), including Singapore, in 1963 which is the basis for the formation of Malaysia that was recognised by the United Nations.
“What our Sarawak leaders had included then as provisions in the agreement as part of Malaysia were what they considered as necessary to protect the rights and interests of Sarawak and its people during their time,” he said.
Abang Johari stressed this at the Sarawak Day 2022 celebration themed ‘Prosperous Sarawak’ which was officiated by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at the Indoor Stadium in Sibu tonight and broadcast live through the Sarawak Public Communication Unit’s (Ukas) Facebook page and YouTube Channel.
Elaborating, Abang Johari referred to Sarawak’s rights embodied in the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 (OMO 1958) which obviously existed before 1963 and was never repealed, as shall always be enforced, thus giving Sarawak the power over its onshore petroleum resources.
Furthermore, he said the Parliament had passed the amendments to recognise MA63 as fundamental to the constitutional relationship between the parties forming Malaysia and the equal status of the parties.
“As such, it is the commitment of the GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) government as a responsible government to safeguard and restore the rights of Sarawak that have been eroded.
“We will continue all efforts so that MA63 is honoured and implemented as agreed by past leaders,” he said.
As the head of the Sarawak government, Abang Johari called on the Federal government to ease the further negotiations on MA63 for the good of the country as a whole.
Meanwhile, the celebration also witnessed the marching in of guards followed by the hoisting of the Sarawak flag accompanied by the State anthems.
Taib’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib, Abang Johari’s wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, senior cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, elected members and community leaders were among the distinguished guests present.
Musical and live performances by well known local artistes from Malaysia kickstarted the celebration to commemorate the important memory of Sarawak’s past and to spread the spirit of love for Sarawak.
Other highlights of the night included dance performances themed ‘Colours of Sarawak’ and ‘Thousand Hands and Thousand Hopes’, a colourful and bittersweet musical theatre performance on Rosli Dhobi, a special patriotic song titled ‘Dirgahayu Sarawak’ and a video screening titled “Sarawak Makmur”. — DayakDaily
